"With the USB standard available in virtually all computing devices in the marketplace, the USB720 offers Verizon Wireless customers the tremendous flexibility of using a USB port for wireless connectivity," said Rob Hadley, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Novatel Wireless. "Providing Verizon Wireless' first EV-DO Rev. A USB modem shows Novatel Wireless' commitment to developing the most advanced and valuable wireless broadband access solutions. We are pleased that Verizon Wireless has selected us as a supplier for EV-DO Rev. A products."

In conjunction with this announcement of the USB720, Verizon Wireless today announced enhancements to its network to provide BroadbandAccess customers with the increased speeds of Rev. A technology in portions of Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts, Utah and Virginia. Customers in Verizon Wireless' enhanced wireless broadband coverage areas will typically experience average download speeds of 450-800 kilobits per second (kbps) and average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps. To the busy professional, the enhanced speeds will translate into the ability to download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment -- the equivalent of a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file -- in less than 15 seconds and upload the same size file in less than 25 seconds.

The USB720 is highly compact, measuring 3.52 x 1.49 x .69 inches (89.5 x 38 x 17.6 mm) and weighing a mere 1.6 ounces (45 g). The modem is also fully compatible with the Verizon Wireless' enhanced and existing wireless broadband networks and the company's NationalAccess network (based on CDMA 1xRTT technology). The modem has an advanced dual band diversity antenna system design with an integrated flip antenna, which maximizes performance and strengthens network signal reception. The USB720 works seamlessly with the Enterprise edition of VZAccess Manager software and supports Windows® (2000, XP, and Vista), and Mac OS X.

Customers in Rev. A enhanced coverage areas who purchase the new USB720 and who are current subscribers to BroadbandAccess will enjoy the new improved speeds immediately -- there are no additional charges. Customers with a Verizon Wireless voice plan of $39.99 or higher may sign up for unlimited BroadbandAccess with the new Rev. A speeds for an additional $59.99 monthly access. For customers without a voice plan, BroadbandAccess is available for $79.99 monthly access.

The USB720 is $149.99 with a new two-year customer agreement or $199.99 with a new one-year customer agreement.

We will always beat Verizon at their prices (and of course provide much better support). As an example, when Verizon first launched the V640, they sold for $179.99, we sell the same for $99.99 (still do).

More info and ordering info on the USB720 later today._________________3Gstore.com

The compact USB720 wireless modem is compatible with all the latest notebooks, desktops and handhelds via an industry standard USB interface.

"With the USB standard available in virtually all computing devices in the marketplace, the USB720 offers Verizon Wireless customers the tremendous flexibility of using a USB port for wireless connectivity."

The USB720 works seamlessly with the Enterprise edition of VZAccess Manager software and supports Windows® (2000, XP, and Vista), and Mac OS X.

Sierra Wireless offers its Watcher software in a version built for Windows CE .net 4.2 and the Verizon AirCard 555 (1xRTT only)... but so far I can't find VZAccess Manager or Novatel software built to run in Windows CE .net 4.2. Even without such connection software, where can I at least get the appropriate WinCE 4.2 (or Windows Mobile 5?) USB modem driver for the Verizon USB720?

For those of us who already have Verizon PC card service, do we have to sign up for a new commitment in order to upgrade to this one?

As soon as the Verizon AirCard 595 PC Card came out, Booster-Antenna.com / EVDOinfo.com offered it with Verizon service and also separately at somewhat less than full retail price. I'll bet they do the same for the Verizon USB720.

You can buy a new EVDO device from Booster-Antenna.com and then use it on your existing service (wherever you got that) by then activating the new equipment on the Verizon web site's MyAccount area.

For what it's worth, I was told by a Verizon phone rep a few months back that I could get the 2-year contract discounted price on a new EVDO adapter if I was at least one year into my current contract.